AGVs boosted by superior batteries
April 1st 2011 Hawker XFC batteries from EnerSys
are being used in a new project with
automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
manufactured by JBT Corporation
for handling print reels and other
loads at a commercial printing plant
in Sheffield, UK.
The Hawker XFC units were
chosen by JBT Corporation because
of the batteries' compact size/shape,
heavy duty performance, and
quick/on-demand charging, without
the need for maintenance. These
features enabled the batteries to be
integrated into the JBT Corporation
AGVs and deliver efficient, roundthe-
clock operation.
AGVs are battery powered,
computer controlled vehicles which
operate unmanned to complete
routine material movements in
production plants and warehouses.
There is a certain level of
customisation in AGVs because they
are typically designed for the
requirements of the specific material
handling application (e.g. load
weight, load dimensions, aisle width,
pick up points, drop off points, hours
of operation, etc.). In analysing the
specific application, AGV engineers
design the AGV to safely support and
move each load type while
maximising the amount of time each
AGV is available to do work. To
maximise AGV availability, the
optimum mix of battery capacity,
battery size, battery weight and
battery charge frequency/time is
required. This allows the operational
needs of the application to be met by
the minimum number of AGVs. More articles from Enersys Ltd: | 
